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Fire safety warning for the Flintshire countryside

Published: 04/07/2018

Flintshire Countryside Service is urging people to take extreme care in the
countryside during the current hot weather and take all possible steps to
prevent fires.
The warning comes as fires affected land in parts of Gwynedd and Anglesey, as
well as the devastating fires in the North West of England.
Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside,
said: “Whilst many of us will be enjoying this unusually prolonged spell of
extremely hot weather, it does not come without risk. The ground is now tinder
dry and the risk of fire is increasing by the day. A fire out of doors,
whether started deliberately or accidently, can spread and cover large areas
very quickly. Simple precautions such as avoiding barbeques in the open
countryside and making sure that lit cigarettes are discarded properly and
safely can significantly reduce the risk of fire. We would ask people to
please take the utmost care when in the countryside and take all necessary
steps to protect against fire.”
Kevin Roberts, Senior Fire Safety Manager, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service
said: “In these dry conditions, fires involving grass, bracken and heather can
develop extremely quickly, especially in raised winds, and fires can soon get
out of control and spread to neighbouring properties or forestry, with the need
for us then to attend to extinguish them.
“So if you are out, it is more important than ever in these conditions to make
sure that any smoking materials are discarded and extinguished properly. If you
are out camping, again make sure that campfires or barbeques are fully
extinguished. Better still, avoid open fires altogether in this dry period.
“These fires place tremendous pressure on our resources, with firefighters
tied up for a considerable length of time working to bring them under control.
Quite often they also happen in areas where access is extremely difficult and
water supply is limited.
“Remember - setting fires is a criminal offence and we are actively working
alongside North Wales Police to combat deliberate incidents – those found to be
responsible will be prosecuted.”